Die ökonomische Natur des Alters. Eine sozialgeschichtliche Analyse

Abstract

This paper is a contribution to socio-historical gerontology. Finally it is based on the thesis, that the relation to productive labor is constitutive and builds the ground for the social status, standing and appreciation of the elderly. That is why old age has been analyzed in the context of human labor prevailing in the three formations of society: ursociety (primitive society), feudalism and capitalism. On the basis of the analytical distinction between a "productive" and "unproductive" aging phase, one can explain different phenomena, situated between worshipping and senicide, or nowadays used "Altenberge". Finally an empirical investigation of life expectancy brings into the focus that social class is decisive.